Poultry treating apparatus and method



Aug' 6, 1940 v P. oNoRATo ET AL 2,210,377

POULTRY TREATING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed Aug. 29, 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEYS Aug- 6, 1940- ONORATO ET Al. 2,210,377

POULTRY TREATING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed Aug. 29, 1958 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATroRNEYsV Aug. 6, 1940. P. oNoRATo ET Al.

PouLTRY TREATING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed Aug. 29, 1958 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 AT TORNEYS Aug. 6, 1940. P. oNoRATo ET AL PoULTRY TREATING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed Ag. 29, 1958 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 AT I'ORNEYS Aug. 6, 1940.

P. ONORATO ET AL POULTRY TREATING APPARATUS AND METHOD 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 29, 1958 ATTORNEYS Aug- 6, *1940- P. oNoRATo E-r AL 2,210,377

POULTRY TREATING APPARATUS ANDIMETHOD Filed Aug. 29, 195s e sheets-sheet e ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. y6, 1.940

PATENT orner.

vIOULTEY TREA'IING APPARATUS AND METHOD Paul Onorato, San Mateo, and Emile Weinaug, San Francisco, Calif.; said Weinaug assigner to VEarker- Poultry Ottumwa, Iowa Application August 29,

' zaolaims.

Our invention relates to an apparatus and method for treating poultry electrically.

This application is a continuation in part of our applications Serial No. 38,918, filed September 3, 1935, which is now Patent No. 2,152,083, dated March 28, 1939, and Serial No. 746,680, filed October 3, 1934, which is now Patent No. 2,152,082, dated March 28, 1939.

Specifically the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for subjecting poultry to an electrical current and cutting their throats. Our prior applications disclose apparatus for steaming poultry, which'feature is not included in the present application.

In the preparation of poultry for the market,

it is necessary to `kill and bleed-the birds and to remove the feathers. vIt has been customary to manually cut the throats of the birds and pierce their brains, allow the birds to bleed, sometimes to dip them in Warm Water and to pick and remove the feathers.

Because Workmen often work on a piece-Work basis, they hurry the'operations as much as possible, with the result that sometimes the birds are not thoroughly bled.` Furthermore during the employment of such former methods, the birds frequently struggle and flap during the bleeding operations, causing the blood to spatter on the feathers, thus rendering the feathers substantially Aworthless or less valuable asa by-product, causing contamination of blood which could be saved and used as another by-product and breaking the wings in a substantial number of instances. Frequently in the methods heretofore employed, the birds are dipped into warm Water before muscle contraction ceases, and the lungs sometimes become filled with water.

It is our purpose to provide a method whereby the birds are electrically shocked and stunned or killed by subjecting them to an electric current, either at or near the head -or at the extremities as hereinafter set forth, and to cut the throats 'of the birds immediately after they have been subjected to the electric current.

Another object is to provide a machine for supporting the birds, conveying them from point to point, subjecting them to the electricl current, cutting their throats and holding them during the bleeding period.

Another object is to provide particular kinds of mechanism for accomplishing the purposes mentioned.

With these and other objects in View, our invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of our de.-

Equipment Company,

193s, serial No. .227,355

vice, and in the steps of the method herein set forth, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in our claims, and illustrated in the accompanyi'ng drawings, in which:

Figure l is a planfview of a machine of the kind mentioned, parts being brokenaway.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the machine shown in Figure l.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detailed elevation showa portion ofthe conveyor, the gears and the rails supporting them.

Figure 4 is an enlarged Vertical section taken on the line -ll of Figure 3. g

Figure 5` is an enlarged sectional view taken on. the line 5 5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is an enlarged side elevation, parts being shown in section, illustrating the mechanism for holding the birds for subjecting them to the electric current and cutting their throats and holding them for bleeding.

Figure 'l is .an enlarged vertical cross section taken on the line 'i-'l of'Figure 1.'

Figure '7c is a detailed elevation showing the electrode applied to the head of the bird.

Figure 8 is a side elevation partly in section of another form of our machine.

Figure 9 is la cross section of the machine taken on the line 9-9 of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a cross section of the machine taken on the line i-lilvof Figure 8.

Figure 11 is a side elevation of the means by whichthe legs are secured to the conveyor, viewed from the opposite side of the machine to that shown in Figure 8, parts of the machine being shown in section.

Figure 12 is a plan view of the machine of Figure 8, parts being broken away.

- Figure 13 is an elevation of a hook whereby the head of the bird is secured to the conveyor viewed from the .front of the machine;

Figure 14 is an elevation of the hook viewed from the side of the machine; and

Figure 15 is a top or plan View of the hook shown in Figure 14.

APPARATUS I The mainframe A consists of two-sections B and C (Figure l), which may be disposed at substantially right angles to each other. The conveyor chain 3 travels on sprockets 4, 5, 6 and 1.

Sprocket 1 may be the driven one. The rail 2 prevents sagging of the conveyor chain 3.

Bird carriers Carriers D are secured to the chain at spaced intervals. The details of the structure of carriers D are illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. Each carrier has an elongated sleeve 8 which is forked at its upper end as indicated at 8, and terminates in an upper plate i6 riveted or otherwise secured to an extension lug H on the chain 3. A brace rod 8a is pivoted at its ends to part 8 of each carrier D and part 9 of the next carrier D.

A shaft l2 is received in the sleeve 8 and projects thereabove between the arms of the fork 9. On the upper end of the shaft l2 is detachably fixed a collar i3 to hold it against dropping out of the sleeve 8. Projecting from one side of the sleeve 8 is a spindle I4 on which is journalled a grooved roller l5 which travels on the rail 2. On the lower end of the shaft l2 is a gear I6 and projecting from the lower face thereof is a pair of arms l1 which support a flat plate like member I8.

Foot clamp of bird carrier D The member i8 (Figure 5) has at one edge a pair of spaced notches I 9 to receive the legs of a chicken. Pivoted on the upper face of the member by means of pins 22 are clamping inembers 28 and 2l. Each clamping member Comprises what ymight be called a plate having an arm 23. From the arms 23 pins 24 project through arcuate slots 25 in the plate I8. The ends of the slots 25 serve as stops. The pins are linked below the plate by a rod 26, Figure 3, so that both clamping members are linked to move in unison. Each clamping member 28 and 2l is provided with what may be called a clamping arm 28 and an ejecting arm 29. The member 28 is provided with a hand lever 21. The member 2i is associated with an over-center locking rod 38. One end 'of this locking rod 38 is slidably extended through a lug 3l pivoted on the plate I 8. The other end or head 32 of the rod 30 is seated in a socket 33 formed on the clamping plate 2l. On the rod 38 adjacent the head 32 is fixed a collar 34. A coil spring 36 is interposed between the collar 34 and the pivoted lug 3|.

It will be observed that the clamping members 28 and 2i are shown in Figure 5 in their inoperative positions. The legs of a bird may be inserted between the arms 28 and 2S of the respective clamping members and the lever 21 operated to move the clamping members to their locking position with the legs of the bird received in the slots i8. The rod 30 and its associated parts tend to swing over center during this movement. The rod 30 and its associated parts tend to hold the locking members in either of their extreme positions, to wit: either in inoperative position as shown in Figure 5, or in clamping position for holding the legs of the birds in the slots I9 where the birds are suspended on the endless chain conveyor.

Head clamp The next operation is tol secure the head of the bird by means of a clamping apparatus, which is illustrated in Figures l, 6 and 7. The head clamp is indicated generally at F. It is carried by a secondary conveyor chain indicated at G. The head clamps are arranged at spaced intervals, the spacing being the same as the spacing of the carriers D having the foot clamps from which the birds are hung.

E'ach head clampI F has a plate 31 secured to the conveyor chain G (Figure '7). The plate 31 is of insulating material or is insulated from the chain. This plate 31 terminates in a plate 38 which has a part semi-circular or channelshaped in cross section, Figure 6, and provided with a transverse notch or slot 38 (Figures 6 and 7), to receive the knife hereinafter described.

The plates 31 and 38 slide on frame members 31m and 38a. The frame member 38a is insulated from the main frame of the machine. The plate 38 has bearing vlugs 4B formed thereon (Figure '7) and pivote-d to the bearing lugs is a clamping plate 4| which projects in both directions from its pivot and is normally held in clamping position by a spring 42. The clamping plate 4I has at one end a downwardly projecting extension 4m which carries a yoke-like member 4 Ib` (Figure 6) arranged to coact with the clamping plate 38 and to register with the notch 39 in the plate 38.

At the other end, the plate 4l has an extension lever 43 having a roller 44 on its outer end, which is engageable with cam tracks 45 and 45a (Figures` 2, 6 and 7) which tracks will be hereinafter referred to again.

Electrical device Secured to the main frame, for example above the path of travel of the conveyor G and the clamping members F carried thereby, is an insulating member 46 on which is pivotally mounted a Contact arm 41 of L-shape as shown in Figure 6. A spring 41a tends to yieldingly urge the contact arm 41 to contact-making position.

Suitab-ly supported is a transformer 4119- connected with a suitable source of current supply (Figure '7). One lead is grounded on the main frame A and the other indicated at 48 extends to a post 48a mounted in the insulation 46 and pivotally sup-porting the contact arm 41. l

Knife We provide means for cutting the throats of the birds as they travel along the conveyors. Suitably journaled in the frame below the upper line of travel of the head clamping members F on the endless chain G is a shaft 5i) (Figures l, 2, 6 and '1) on one end of which is secured a disc type cutting knife 5I disposed in alignment with the notches 38 in the plates 38 so that when the neck of a bird is clamped in a plate 38, the parts will cooperate for accomplishing the desired result. The knife is driven at a suitable speed and the knife and the main conveyor having chains 3 and the secondary conveyor having chains G are driven in unison.

Driving apparatus An electric motor 53 is supported on the main frame (Figures 1 and 2). The motor 53 drives a shaft 54 through belt and pulley gearing means 55. The shaft 54 extends lengthwise of the frame B. The shaft 54 through a reduction gear drive indicated at 56 (Figure 1) drives a shaft 51 extending longitudinally of the frame C.

The shaft 51 drives a vertical shaft 51a (Figure l) through a pair of beveled gears indicated at 58. On the shaft 51a is the driving sprocket 1 of the main conveyor 3. The chain G of the secondary conveyor is carried by sprockets 59a and 60a mounted on shafts 59 and 60 (Figure 2).

The shaft 60 is driven from the shaft 51 by suit- 7 5 able chain'andsprocket gearing 6|` (Figures 1 and 2). f The shaftv 50 which carries the circular knife 5| is driven from the shaft 5`4Iby suitable gearing 63 (Figures 1 .and '7). 'Ihe driving mechanism is so arranged that the main and secondary conveyors are driven in unison and at the same speed and so that the circular knife is continuously rotated at high speed during the operation of the machine.

v Stemming chamber Our invention here disclosed may be used in connection with a steaming chamber Which is more fully described in our application, Serial No. 38,918, of which the pre-sent application is a continuation in part.

The steaming chamber has the enclosing parts Hl and ll shown in Figure 1 but will not be further described.-

Operation We will describe the progress of a single bird and it will be understood one bird follows another in regular order through the machine. At what may be called the loading end of the machine at the right-hand of Figure 2 for exampleyan operator puts the legs of the bird between the arms 28 and 29 of the clamping members 20 and 2| and swings the clamping members from their position shown in Figure 5 to position where the arms 28 clamp the legs of the bird in the notches I9. The bird is then supported head downward from the main conveyor.

t Will be obvious from Figure 1 that the frame B is longer than the conveyorG. After thebird has been hung on the main conveyor and when it reaches the conveyor G, the operator places the neck of the bird in the cradle-like end por'-l tion of the plate 38 while holding the left-hand end of the clamping vplate 4| (Figure '7) raised and then allows the clamping plate 4| to'move to clamping position wherev the yoke-like member Alb will overlie the neck of the bird above the slot 39 for snugly `clamping the neck and head in place.

As the conveyor G advances the bird, the contact arm 4l is engage-d by the extension 43 of the plate 4| (seeFigs. 6 and '7) for closing a circuit and subjecting the bird to a charge of electricity.

It win be observed that theY Circuit is closed from the transformer 4`|bl through the conductor 558, the post d8a, the'contact arm 41, the extenthe circuit extends through the frame of ther machine to the foot clamp D rand thus to the extremities of the bird.

Thus in this particular. form in which our apparatus may be embodied, the foot clamps D hold the feet of the bird, the head clamp F holds the head and the bird is subjected to an electric current with poles contacting the feet or legs and the head or neck of the bird.

The bird is stunned or killed as maybe desired and as will depend on the amounty .of current used. L

:Thus the birds. may be subjected.: to yWhatever stunningor killingthe bird,causing muscular rel laxation and preventing struggling and convulsions during the bleeding period.'

The birds can, of course, be killed by the electric .shock if that is found desirable or they may be subjected to merely a temporary paralysis Whichxwill affect the motor centers to accomplish the purpose and produce muscular relaxation. We find the stunning method preferable in some cases.

The amount of electricity to be used and the consequent degree of shock for affecting proper muscular relaxation to prevent struggling and breaking Wings and to loosen the feathers may readily bedetermined and Will vary somewhat according to the age of the birds. In a sense, the clamping device F for the head acts as an electrode through which current is n passed., Contact is made at a given time and sufficient amperage and voltage may be applied to instantly and completely paralyzethe bird. Paralysis is evidenced by sudden contraction of all muscles and this is due to the fact that the sensory and motor nerves are rendered inactive, the contraction being the normal result of the current stimulus.

.In operation it is noted that the heart continues to beat in some instances even after the electricalshock is administered and after the throat is cut. v

Next the bird is broughtto the rotating knife 5| and the throat is cut forsevering the jugular vein. Just before the clamp F comes into alignment with the circular knife 5|, the roller 44 engages the cam 45 (Figure 6) and the clamping end of the arm 4| is slightly raised so that if that particular head clamp is empty, there is no danger of the yoke-like member 4|b being engaged by the knife.

A trough 9| (Figure 6) islprovided toreceive the blood. The bird travels a substantial distance `so that it may bleed properly before the head is released. The blood, under` the operation of the heart, continues to be discharged and thev blood is pumped out before the heart muscles cease their beating. Of course, when the vagus nerve is cut, there is a momentary reflex noted which causes some spasmodic fluttering of the fowls eyelids and this stimulates an after surge, which assists in further blood'drainage. y

When the bird reaches the end of the conveyor G, the roller 44 will engage the cam track 45a (Figures 1 and 6) whereby the clamping arm 4| is operated to free the head, thus releasing the `head and permitting the bir-d to be entirely suspended from the carrier D and to be conveyed tothe steaming chamber which is the subject o-f our application, Serial No. 38,918. Table 94 is merely a work-table on which the birds may be placed if desired.

APPARATUS 1I In Figures 8 to 15, we have shown a somewhat different form of apparatus embodying our invention. This structure is shown in our co-pending application, Serial No. 746,680, of which the present application is a continuation in part.

In Figure 8, is shown a frame i6 and a somewhat similar frame A pair of laterally spaced sprocket chains A travels over sprockets 2 and 3 on the frame l0 and the sprockets 4', ta` and 5'. These are idler sprockets except the sprockets-.5', which are fixed to the transverse shaft 6'v on which is `a pulley l belt-driven from amotor 8'.

The conveyor during its travel passes over a table B at the forward end of which the birds are applied and secured to the conveyor, after which they are electrically stunned. Their throats are cut by a revolving knife 9 and they are bled.

Thereafter the conveyor enters a steaming box indicated generally at C', where the feathers are loosened by jets of steam.

Finally the conveyor passes out of the box C and over a table D', where the birds are automatically released from the conveyor and delivered by gravity to a table El', where the feathers are removed by hand picking or otherwise.

This steam box is disclosed in our Patent No. 2,152,082 issued March 28, 1939.

The sprocket wheels 2 are journaled on a transverse shaft 2a and the sprockets 3', 4 and 4a are journaled on suitably mounted transverse shafts. The box C is supported by posts l2 connected with the frames lil and H' through brace arms l5 and lll.

Suitably secured between the chains A of the endless conveyor are frames I6 arranged in spaced pairs and connected by foraminous sheets, for instance, of wire mesh Il upon which the birds to be handled are placed.

As shown for instance in Figure 11, there is secured at one end of each frame I6 and foraminous sheet Il a bar IB having in its upper edge a pair of spaced recesses or notches I9 t0 receive the legs of a bird. y

Pivotally attached to the bar I8 at 2U is a clamping lever 2l'. This lever may be raised to permit the legs of the bir-d to be placed in the notches i9', whereupon the lever is lowered and functions to hold the legs of the bird in those notches.

On one end of the bar I8 are provided ratchet teeth 23', and on the clamping lever 2l' is a pivoted pawl 22 arranged to coact with these ratchet teeth.

Head clamp of Apparatus II For securing the head of the bird when it is placed on one of the frames, there may be employed a peculiarly shaped holder, mounted on the frame and projecting laterally therefrom, as illustrated in Figures 13, 14 and 15. This holder consists of a wire arm or the like 24 generally of U-shape and having one end secured tothe frame as at 25. At the other end, the wire arm 24 has a reversibly opened V- shaped hook 26.

Also, as shown in Figure 13, the apex of the V is tipped downwardly and toward the opposite side of the conveyor, so, that when the neck of the bird is placed in the V and the bird is pulled toward the other side of the conveyor and the legs are then clamped in place, the neck will be pulled down into the V and the head Will be pulled against the V and the bird will be rmly clamped in place.

The clamping arm 24 and its V-shaped hook 2 held the head in a position projected beyond the side of the conveyor where the throat is exposed as the conveyor travels in the direction of the arrow a (Figure 8).

Knife of Apparatus II The knife 9'l (Figures 8 and 9) is mounted on a shaft 9a, which is operated by a belt and pulley structure 9b from a motor 9c (Figure 10). A trough 30 extends from 3|' to 32 toreceive the blood and is arranged to discharge through a pipe 33 into a tank 34.

Steam boa: Apparatus II The steam box is the subject of our earlier application Serial No. 746,680 and is described here only to briefly show its relation to the other parts.

1t has a revolving entrance shutter 35 and a similar revolving exit shutter 35a. Steam is supplie-d from a boiler 36 having the float actuated inlet valve 31 whereby a predetermined water level is maintained.

The boiler is heated by a burner 3B and is provided with a safety valve 39. In the lower part of the boiler is an air heating tank 40' connected with an air compressor 4l having an intake control 42. The heated air is discharged from the air tank 40 to the nozzles in the steam box.

Steam passes through a pipe 44' in which is the regulating valve 45 to the manifold 46 in the steam box. The manifold is provided with nozzles 4l". From the steam box the birds pass to the table D. A rod 22a disposed at one side of the conveyor will here engage the pawl 22' and release it. A spring 2Ia (Figure 11) positioned adjacent the pivotal point of the lever 2l will swing the lever about its pivot and the legs of the bird will thus be released.

The table D' is disposed on a considerable incline and the birds will swing around by gravity as indicated at 60' in Figure 8 and in so swinging will be released from the V portion 26 or they may be lifted clear and deposited on the table The table is foraminous and suction on the underside is provided by jets of air issuing from blowers at 62 and 63' discharging into the hopper Srl and the conduit 6| for carrying the feathers away and maintaining the suction action mentioned.

Electrical Apparatus II Before the birds are carried to the knife 9', they are electrically shocked and preferably stunned. suitably mounted on the frame of the machine is a transformer Il supplied with current from any suitable source. The circuit is grounded on the frame as shown in Figure 8 and is arranged to include a contact arm 'Hl' supported on but insulated from the frame. The arm l is so located that it Will engage the combs or top portions of the heads of the birds as they are moved along by the conveyor. The circuit is completed through the frame of the machine to the legs, bodies or necks of the birds. The current may flow through the neck to the portion 24' and through the body to the part Il and through the body and legs to the foot clamps in an amount inversely proportional to the resistance of the paths.

Operation In operation, each bird is clamped in place in the manner hereinbefore described and travels along with the conveyor and is electrically stunned, has its throat cut by the knife 9 and is bled. The effect is similar to that already explained in connection with the first form of the apparatus.

We claim:

1. In a machine of the character described a conveyor, means for securing the head and feet of .a bird to the conveyor, a knife in the path of travel of the conveyor to cut the throat of -`the Vbird and permit bleeding thereof, and means for automatically releasing the feet of the bird from the conveyor, said releasing of the feet causing the bird to fall by gravity andv to be automatically released from the head securing means.

2. In a machine of the character described a conveyor comprising a pair of spaced endless sprocket chains, a plurality of screen covered frames secured to the chains and disposed crosswise thereof, a clamp'at one end of each frame to secure the legs of a bird, means at the opposite rend of each frame for receiving and securing the head of each bird, means for imparting movement to the conveyor, means` in the path of the conveyor for cuttingthe throats of the birds to bleed them, means for receiving and retaining the blood, and means for automatically releasing the clamps to permit removal of the birds from the conveyo-r. y

3. In a machine of the character described a conveyor comprising a pair of spaced endless sprocket chains, a plurality of screen covered frames secured tothe chains and disposed crosswise thereof, a clamp at one 1 end of eachframe to secure the legs ofa bird, means at the opposite end of each frame for receiving and securing the head of each bird,`means for imparting movev ment to the conveyor, ymeans in the path of the conveyor for electrically stunning the birds, means in the path of travel of the conveyor for cutting the throats of the birds vto bleed them, means for receiving and retaining the blood, and means for automatically releasing the clamps to permit removal of the birds.v

4. The process of slaughtering which consists in first securing and holding the carcass at a plurality of points thereofin a position such that when the throat is cut, blood will fall under the influence of gravity alongr a path out of contact with the carcass, then applying to the carcass so held `an electric 4current of such intensity 'and character that it is sufficient to stun but insuii I cient to stop heart action, thereafter cuttingthe f throat to permit bleeding under the influence of heart action and after bleeding is complete, re-v leasing the fowl. l

5. The process of slaughtering which consists in first securing and holding the carcass at a plurality of points thereon in a position such that when the throat is cut, blood will fall under thev` influence of gravity along a path out yof contact.

with the carcass, then conveying the-carcass forwardly without change in relative position except for the forward movement through a treat`V ment zone wherein first there is applied to the carcass an electric current of such intensity and character that it is sufficient tostun-but insufficient tov stop heart action, then further cone.

veying the carcass without change in relativev position other than the conveying along a treat.

iny rst gripping a portion of the carcassv and.

feeding it forwardly along a treatment Zone, then gripping another part of the carcass thereby holding it in such position that when the throat is cut, blood will fall under the influence of gravity along a path out of contact with the carcass, then while'still so holding it, applying -to the carcass an electric current of such intensity and character that it is sufficient to stun but insufhcient to stop heart action, then while still holding it, cutting the throat of the carcassfto permit bleeding, andthen after vbleeding is complete, releasing the hold which was second applied and,` then releasing the first hold. a

'7. The process of slaughtering which consists in first gripping a portion of the carcass and feeding it forwardly along a ,treatment zone, then gripping another part ofy the carcass thereby holding yit in such position that when the throat is cut,.blood will fall under the influence of gravity along a path out of contact with the carcass, then while still so holding it applying to the carcass an electric current of such intensity and character that it is sufficient to stun but in` suiiicient' to stop heart action, then whilev still holding it, cutting the throat of the ,carcass to permit bleeding, and then after bleeding is complete, releasing the hold which was secondl apy rplied and then releasing the rst hold, the various steps above referred to, taking place s'uccessively as the carcass is moved continuously forward through the treatment Zone.

8. A slaughtering apparatus comprising means for holding thecarcass in such position that when the throat is cut, blood will fall by gravity Afrom the cut along a path out of contact withv the carcass, automatic means for applying an' eleca path out of contact with'the carcass, means for While still vholding the carcass in vsuch. position movingit forwardly through a treatment Zone,

automatic means therein for first applying electric current" to the carcass` of such intensity and character that it is sufficient to stun' but insufficient to stop heart action, automatic means for then cutting thethroat to permit bleeding,

and means for releasing the second mentioned carcass holding means and then releasing the iirstcarcass holding means.

10. A slaughtering apparatus comprising a conveyor, means for attachingA the carcass to such conveyor and. for holding it in such position thereon that when the throat lis cut, the blood will flow by gravity along a path out of contacty with the carcass, means adjacent the path of the conveyor including an electric terminal adapted to 'engage' the carcass as it is moved forwardly bythe conveyor, the `electric current being of such` character and intensity as tostun but not to stop.

heart action, means further along the path of the conveyor for automatically cutting the throat,

rmeans associated therewith for catching the blood, and means for thereafter releasing the carcass and discharging it from the conveyor.

11. A slaughtering apparatus-comprising a conveyor, means for attaching the carcass to such Y "conveyor and for holding it in such position .thereon that when the throat is cut, the blood will flow by'gravity kalong a path out of contact with the carcass, means adjacent the path of the by the conveyor, the electric current being of such character and intensity as to stun but not to stop heart action, means further along the path of the conveyor for automatically cutting the throat, means associated therewith for catching the blood, and means for thereafter releasing the carcass and discharging it from the conveyor, the carcass holding means being adapted to hold the carcass at two spaced points whereby it is held in such position at all times that accurate engagement of the carcass with the electric contact and the throat cutting means is insured and that the carcass is protected from contact with the flowing blood.

12. In apparatus for stunning or killing poultry by electricity, a support, means thereon for holding the bird in desired position, and an electric circuit having one pole adapted to be attached to a desired part of the bird and a second pole adapted to contact the head of the bird to complete the circuit through the body of the bird.

13. In a machine of the character described a main and a secondary conveyor, means for driving the conveyors in unison, means for securing the legs of a bird to the main conveyor, means on the second conveyor for receiving and securing the head of the bird, and means cooperating with the second conveyor for electrically stunning the bird.

14. In a machine of the character described a main and a secondary conveyor, means for driving the conveyors in unison, means for securing the legs of a bird to the main conveyor, means for securing the head of the bird to the secondary conveyor, means in the path of travel of the secondary conveyor for electrically stunning the bird, and means for cutting the throat of the bird after the electrical stunning operation.

15. In a machine of the character described a main and a secondary conveyor, means for driving the conveyors inunison, means for securing the legs of va bird to the main conveyor, means for securing the head of the bird to the secondary conveyor, means in the path of travel of the secondary conveyor for electrically stunning the bird, and a revolving knife in the path of travel of the last-named conveyor for cutting the throat of the bird.

16. In a machine of the character described a main and a secondary conveyor, means Vfor driving the conveyors in unison, means for securing the legs of a bird to the main conveyor, means for securing the head of the bird to the secondary conveyor, means in the vpath of travel of the in a suspended condition from the main con-- 171 In'a machine of the character described a main and a secondary' conveyor, means for driving the conveyors in unison, means for` securing the legs of a bird to the main conveyor, a manually opened clamping member on the secondary conveyor for receiving and securing the head of the bird, and means for establishing an electric circuit through said clamping member to electrically stun the bird.

18. In a machine of the character described a main and a secondary conveyor, means for driving the conveyors in unison, means for securing the legs of a bird to the main conveyor, a manually opened clamping member on'the secondary conveyor for receiving and securing the head of the bird, means for establishing an electric circuit through said clamping member to electrically stun the bird, and other means for automatically opening said clamping member to release the head of the bird to permit the bird to hang in a suspended condition from the main conveyor.

19. In a machine of the character described a main an-d a secondary conveyor, means for driving the conveyors in unison, means for securing the legs of a bird to the main conveyor, a manually closable clamping member on the secondary conveyor for receiving and securing the head of the bird, means for establishing an electric circuit through said clamping member to electrically stun the bird, a knife in the path of travel of the secondary conveyor for cutting the throat of the bird, and means for Vopening the clamping member to release the head of the bird.

20. In an apparatus for use in stunningor killing poultry by electricity, a support, resilient means on said support to hold the head of a bird, means to hold a foot of said bird, and an electric circuit, said circuit including the means to hold the foot of said bird and a contact adapted to be held against the head of saidbird.

21. In an apparatus of the kind described, conveyor means, means for securing a bird to the conveyor means for holding the bird in such position'that when the throat of the bird is cut, blood will fall by gravity along a path out of contact with the bird, means for cutting the throat of the bird While it is so held and means near said throat cutting means for subjecting the bird to electric shock while the bird is so held.

22. lIn an apparatus of the kind described, conveyor meansjme'ans for securing a bird to the conveyor, means for cutting the throat of the bird While it is vso held and while it is being advanced by the conveyor and means near said throat cutting means for subjecting the bird to electric shock while the bird is so held and while it is being advanced by the conveyor, whereby the throat is cut and the shock is administered so that the bird will be subject to the inuence of the shock While bleeding.

PAUL ONORATO.

EMILE WEINAUG. 

